JP2013224122A - Pendulum-type pedal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pendulum-type pedal device that enables efficient pedaling by controlling rotation of a pedal body to reduce a burden of calf, and facilitates pedaling of a person having an impaired ankle or calf, with a simple structure without changing a common bicycle standard.SOLUTION: A pendulum-type pedal device includes: a pedal shaft 1 having a center rotation shaft fixed to a crank; a height adjuster 2 rotatably connected the pedal shaft 1; and a pedal body 3 arranged below the height adjuster 2 and apart from the pedal shaft 1. The pedal body 3 performs pendulum motion using the pedal shaft 1 as a fulcrum.

Description

Technical literature

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention makes it possible to step on without using the force of a calf in a propulsion device such as a bicycle or a training machine having a rotary pedal mechanism mainly powered by a person's foot, thereby enabling efficient pedaling. The present invention relates to a pendulum pedal device.

  Bicycles are popular for recreation, transportation and competitive sports, and are popular all over the world. Therefore, in the bicycle industry, various bicycle parts are highly common and constantly improved. One of the bicycle parts that has been greatly redesigned is a bicycle pedal device.

  The propulsion device represented by a bicycle by rotating a pedal exhibits the highest level of efficiency, and the further improvement in efficiency according to the present invention widens the possibility of using the bicycle, improving health by promoting exercise and improving the car and motorcycle. This helps to improve environmental problems by suppressing energy consumption by transportation means. On the other hand, in the pedal mechanism that rotates freely, there is a problem in that an unnecessary force is used to control the rotation of the pedal body using the force of the calf.

  Since the pedal body is rotatably attached to the pedal shaft and has an unstable structure to apply strong force, it is necessary to stop the rotation of the pedal body with the force of the ankle when stepping on.

  As a result of research on pedaling technology, the force of the calf is inefficient as the power to rotate the pedal, and pedaling that changes the angle of the ankle called ankling should be avoided.

  There are some athletes who have achieved high results by aggressively performing ankling, but from the viewpoint of efficiency in the current pedal mechanism, it is considered that ankling should be avoided. It is an important problem in the efficiency of pedaling whether or not to minimize the necessary amount.

  If the rotation of the pedal body cannot be controlled due to a problem with the calf or ankle, if the pedal body rotates, it will be difficult to place the foot or prosthetic leg on the pedal body, and it will not be possible to step on the pedal. Some people can't.

  Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 is an invention having a solution similar to the present invention. Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 aims to increase the pedaling efficiency around the top dead center by actively utilizing the force of the calf, whereas the present invention does not use the force of the calf to improve the pedaling efficiency. This is considered to be a completely different invention in that it is trying to raise Further, even when the Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 is used, the calf is not utilized in all of the pedal rotation trajectory. Therefore, in the position where the calf is not utilized, the force of the calf, which is a problem to be solved by the present invention. The inefficiency that must be used to control the rotation of the pedal remains a challenge. For example, by simultaneously implementing the Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 and the present invention, the pedaling efficiency at the top dead center by effectively utilizing the muscle strength of the calf and the pedaling efficiency by eliminating unnecessary calf force when the pedal is depressed according to the present invention It is conceivable to obtain both of the above effects, and it is considered that Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 and the present invention have a complementary relationship rather than competition.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-231136, which is an invention for keeping the pedal body horizontal at all times, is another invention aimed at stable pedaling which is one of the objects of the present invention. Unlike Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-231136, the pedal position is always fixed horizontally with respect to the bicycle body. However, depending on the shape of the bicycle and how the rider rides, the pedal is not necessarily depressed in the vertical direction. In that case, stable pedaling cannot be performed. For example, when driving on a steep slope while standing, the pedal maintains the same level as the bicycle body. Since it depresses perpendicularly to the actual horizontal, it creates an angle in the depressing direction with respect to the pedal body, so that it inhibits stable pedaling, contrary to the object of the invention. In addition, when installing JP-A-2004-231136 on a bicycle, in order to make a significant correction to the crank portion, the pedal body position must be installed away from the frame. However, in this case, the pedal rotation trajectory and the foot stepping trajectory are twisted, which deteriorates the pedal rotation efficiency and hinders the improvement of pedaling efficiency, which is the object of the present invention. To do. In addition, since it is necessary to install not only the crank and pedal but also the bicycle body frame, a large cost is required for preparation of a new production facility for implementation. Similarly, in bicycle competition, it is considered that such a drastic change is not allowed because strict regulations are imposed on the bicycle used to maintain the fairness of the competition. In order to promote the use of 2004-231136, it is necessary to seek changes to the regulations of each bicycle competition on a global scale, which naturally requires a lot of work and costs, and the rules may not be changed. Its use is difficult.

  As described above, among the bicycle standards that are highly common and standardized according to the world standards, it is required to implement the invention with the simple and necessary apparatus that does not affect the existing standards.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-015761 JP 2004-231136 A

  In conventional pedal assemblies, it is necessary to control the rotation of the pedal body by fixing the ankle using the force of the calf when depressing the pedal, and it is a problem that unnecessary energy is consumed for that purpose. It was.

  As the depressing force increases in a bicycle competition or the like, the force of the calves is required to control the rotation of the pedal body, and the waste of energy increases proportionally.

  If you cannot depress more than the force of a calf that can control the rotation of the pedal and you cannot control the rotation of the pedal due to fatigue of the calf during long-time pedaling, even if the knee and thigh are not fatigued The restriction was that pedaling could not be performed.

  When it is difficult to control the rotation of the pedal body due to physical reasons such as a problem with a calf or ankle, it is difficult to perform pedaling with the conventional pedal assembly, which is a big problem.

  As a premise for studying the implementation method of new technology related to bicycles, since bicycles are used worldwide, the standards for crank and pedal assemblies are highly unified, and it is necessary to implement ideas that need to be changed. Because of the cost of changing standards on a global scale, there is an issue of how to solve the problem without changing the existing standards for cranks and bicycle bodies.

  The present invention has been created in view of such circumstances, and has an efficient pedaling that reduces the burden on the calf by controlling the rotation of the pedal body with a simple structure that does not change the common bicycle standard. An object of the present invention is to provide a pendulum pedal device that can be easily pedaled even by a person with an ankle or calf obstacle.

  The pendulum type pedal device of the present invention includes a pedal shaft coupling machine 15 that is rotatably attached to the pedal shaft 16, a height adjustment slide hole 7 that can be slidably installed on the pedal shaft coupling machine 15, and an angle adjustment. A height adjuster 6 having a bar 10, a pedal shaft coupler 15, a height fixing screw 8 for fixing the height adjuster 6, and a pedal body coupler 11 installed on the angle adjusting rod 10 so as to be freely rotatable. An angle fixing screw 13 for fixing the pedal body connecting machine 11 to the angle adjusting rod, a pedal body 9 having a lateral position adjusting slide hole 12 for slidably installing the pedal body connecting machine 11 to the left and right, a pedal The pedal body 9 is installed at a lower position in the vertical direction with respect to the pedal shaft 16 by a lateral position fixing screw 14 for fixing the main body coupling machine 11 to the pedal body 9. Thus, when the pedal body 9 is stepped on, the pedal body 9 moves as a pendulum with the pedal shaft 16 as a fulcrum, so that it can be controlled to rotate largely like a conventional pedal mechanism. .

  The distance of the pedal body 9 from the pedal shaft 16 can be changed by sliding the pedal shaft coupling machine 15 along the height adjusting slide hole 7, and the foot length of the rider, the use situation and purpose of the bicycle It is possible to adjust the height to the optimal position according to the.

  The pedal body 9 rotates the pedal body 9 about the angle adjusting rod 10 via the pedal body coupling machine 11 so that the angle of the pedal body 9 with respect to the pedal shaft 16 can be changed, and at the same time, the pedal body coupling machine 11 is moved laterally. By making the lateral position of the pedal body 9 with respect to the pedal shaft 16 variable by sliding in the adjustment slide hole 12, the rider's ankle strength or the riding method of raising the waist from the saddle is performed. It is possible to install the pedal body 9 at an optimum position according to the use situation and purpose of the bicycle.

  In the study of efficient pedaling technology, pedaling that does not put force on the calf as much as possible is required, but in an ordinary pedal mechanism, the ankle is fixed using the muscle of the calf to suppress the rotation of the pedal body There was a need. On the other hand, when the present invention is used, there is almost no need to control the movement of the pedal body, so there is no need to apply force to the calf and efficient pedaling is possible.

  In the conventional pedal mechanism, if you depress the lower limbs and depress the pedal without fixing the ankle, and the depressing power point deviates from the pedal shaft, the pedal body moves in the deviated direction around the pedal shaft. Since it rotates easily, not only can stable pedaling be performed, but if it rotates more than a certain amount, the foot will come off from the pedal and pedaling itself cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the present invention is used, the pedal body moves the pendulum but does not rotate regardless of the stepping force and the direction of the depression, and the pedal body does not rotate. Since the treading force is automatically stabilized at the optimum angle transmitted to the pedal shaft, it is possible to perform efficient pedaling by removing the force of the calf without removing the force of the lower limb and fixing the ankle.

  In the existing pedal mechanism in which the pedal body rotates when the calf or ankle has a disability, there is a risk that the pedal will rotate away from the pedal body as described above. You may have given up using the bicycle even if you have no other physical problems. On the other hand, when the present invention is used, even when the rotation of the pedal body cannot be controlled due to obstacles in the calf or ankle, or when the artificial leg with the ankle omitted is used, The pedal body can receive the force at an optimal angle, enabling safe pedaling without stepping on the pedal.

  When the present invention is used, the pedal body automatically receives the depressing force during the movement of the pendulum even when special pedaling such as running on a steep slope or standing is performed. It makes it possible to stabilize at an angle.

  According to the present invention, the more the distance between the pedal shaft and the pedal body installed below the pedal shaft is, the easier it is to control the rotation of the pedal body, but if it is too far away, contact with the ground and fine shaking are likely to occur. . On the other hand, by making the positions of the pedal shaft and pedal body variable, it is possible to consider the strength of the rider's leg, the tendency to step on the pedal, whether to stand, etc. The present invention can be used at an optimum distance between the pedal shaft and the pedal body where fine shaking of the body does not occur.

  There are individual differences in the length and stiffness of the human calf muscles, and when the force of the calf is removed, the ankle does not always maintain a horizontal position. If the natural angle of the pedal and the angle of the pedal body are significantly different, it may be possible to apply excessive pressure against the structure that receives the leg strength of the ankle, and the ankle that has been subjected to excessive force for a long time There is concern about the accumulation of excess fatigue and the occurrence of injuries. The present invention makes it possible to change the angle and lateral position of the pedal body with respect to the pedal shaft, thereby fixing the pedal body at an optimum angle according to the user's physical characteristics and how to ride, reducing the unreasonable burden on the ankle. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of excessive fatigue and injury.

  Since the present invention does not require changes to the crank and pedal shaft other than the pedal body, and is a method that does not affect the standards of existing bicycles, it is a simple pedal even for bicycles that are already used. It is possible to implement the present invention simply by replacing the above.

  In addition to being an easy mounting method, it can be used without the need for other equipment or special training, so that it is possible to provide products to users all over the world at a very low cost.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of a fundamental structure of the pendulum type pedal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example at the time of replacing the height adjuster with the pedal shaft in the pendulum type pedal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of detailed composition of a pendulum type pedal device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a height fixing screw in the pendulum type pedal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the simplest embodiment. The height adjuster 2 is rotatably connected to the pedal shaft 1, and the pedal body 3 is installed on the height adjuster 2 below the pedal shaft 1, thereby moving the pendulum about the pedal shaft 1. Is possible.

  Here, the height adjuster 2 may have any shape as long as it is a mechanism for shifting the stepping force point up and down from the fulcrum for transmitting the force to the crank. For example, the height adjuster alternative pedal shaft shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the pedal shaft 4 can be provided with the function of the height adjuster 2 by deforming the pedal shaft itself at an angle. In addition, the height adjuster can also be obtained by deforming the pedal body 3 itself. Two functions can be substituted.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment in which the position of the pedal body is variable. The pedal shaft coupling machine 15 is rotatably installed on the pedal shaft 1, and the pedal shaft coupling machine 15 is installed on the height adjusting slide hole 7 provided in the height adjusting machine 2 up and down so that the height can be adjusted. By fixing the position with the fixing screw 8, the pedal body 3 connected to the height adjuster 2 is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to the pedal shaft 1 and adjustable in the vertical position.

  Here, the height fixing screw 8 may have any shape as long as it is a mechanism for fixing the pedal shaft coupler 15 and the height adjuster 2 to a fixed position of the height adjusting slide hole 7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 as an example of the embodiment of the height fixing screw, the height adjusting screws 21 and 22 are passed through the height adjusting slide hole 7 from above and below to fix the pedal shaft coupling machine 15 therebetween. Although not particularly shown, fixing by applying a tightening pressure from the left and right as in a vise, a method of installing a fixing hole in advance and inserting a fixing pin, etc. are conceivable.

  The angle adjusting rod 10 is installed so as to protrude outwardly at the position where the pedal body 3 below the height adjuster 2 is installed, and the pedal body coupling machine 11 rotatably installed on the angle adjusting rod 10 is provided on the pedal body 3. The horizontal position adjusting slide hole 12 is installed so that the mounting position can be adjusted to the left and right, and the angle adjusting rod 10 and the pedal body coupling machine 11 are fixed at a fixed angle by an angle fixing screw 13. 3, the lateral position is fixed by a lateral position fixing screw 14 so that the pedal body 3 can be installed at an optimum angle and position according to the rider's body and how to ride with respect to the pedal shaft 1. The pendulum can be moved with the shaft 1 as a fulcrum.

  Here, the lateral position fixing screw 14 may have any shape as long as it is a mechanism for fixing the lateral position of the pedal body coupling machine 11 and the pedal body 3. Specifically, it is fixed by applying tightening pressure like a vise, a fixing hole is installed in advance and a fixing pin is inserted and fixed, or the pedal body 3 and the height adjuster 2 are directly fixed with screws. By doing so, it is possible to implement a mechanism for fixing the lateral position.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pedal shaft 2 Height adjusting machine 3 Pedal main body 4 Height adjusting machine alternative pedal shaft 7 Height adjusting slide hole 8 Height fixing screw 10 Angle adjusting rod 11 Pedal main body connecting machine 12 Lateral position adjusting slide hole 13 Angle fixing screw 14 Horizontal position fixing screw 15 Pedal shaft coupling machine 19 Height adjustment slide hole 21 Height adjustment screw (upper)
22 Height adjustment screw (bottom)

Claims (3)

A pedal shaft having a central rotational axis fixed to the crank;
A height adjuster rotatably coupled to the pedal shaft;
A pedal body installed at a lower portion of the height adjuster and installed away from the pedal shaft;
A pendulum-type pedal device that causes the pedal body to move a pendulum with the pedal shaft as a fulcrum. A height adjustment slide hole provided in the height adjuster;
A pedal shaft coupling machine that is rotatably connected to the pedal shaft and is vertically installed in the height adjustment slide hole so as to be adjustable in height;
A height fixing screw for fixing the pedal shaft coupling machine and the height adjuster,
The pendulum pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the pedal shaft with respect to the height adjuster can be adjusted up and down. An angle adjustment rod installed so as to project outward at the bottom of the height adjuster;
A pedal body coupling machine that is rotatably installed on the angle adjustment rod and that is attached to the lateral position adjustment slide hole provided in the pedal body so that the position can be adjusted to the left and right; and
An angle fixing screw for fixing the angle adjusting rod and the pedal body coupling machine;
With
The pendulum pedal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position and angle of the pedal body with respect to the height adjuster can be adjusted by the pedal body coupling machine and a lateral position fixing screw for fixing the pedal body. apparatus.

Images